Supreme Court sets free Doubtful-Citizen from Kokrajhar Detention Camp after Noting her Relatives being Indian Citizens

Guwahati/Kokrajhar: At a time when there are reports of people who are being sent to detention camps by the Foreigner Tribunals for not finding satisfactory claims by citizens and they are being termed as Doubtful Voters, a 50-year-old lady from Kokrajhar jail had finally manage to come out after two years when The Supreme Court noted that her parents, five brothers and husband were all Indian Citizens.

Reportedly, the lady had failed in establishing her link with her father due to mismatch of the name earlier.

As per a media report, the lady identified as Sofiya Khatun who is said to be in her 50s was held in the detention centre since 2016 pursuant to an order of the Foreigner’s Tribunal.

The tribunal was not satisfied with her claims and was then listed as Doubtful-voter. She was reportedly called upon to prove her credentials thereafter. Reports also state that her three daughters and one son including her husband and other family members possessed a valid Indian Citizenship.

It is to be noted that The Supreme Court on Wednesday had ordered for her release after noting that her parents, five brothers and husband were all Indian Citizens.

Meanwhile, a bench headed by Justice Kurian Joseph said she could not be detained in the Kokrajhar jail anymore, however, she had been set free on the condition that she should appear before the police station in Barpeta once every month.

It may also be mentioned that earlier, the Assam government, in an affidavit filed in response to the bench's query, had confirmed the fact that Khatun's relatives were Indian citizens, but had asked for a detailed inquiry as she had failed to establish her link with her father due to mismatch of the name.

Furthermore, the Foreigner's Tribunal and the Gauhati High Court also shot down her citizenship claims because she never brought forth any contention regarding her brothers being Indian citizens. Therefore, the Assam Government sought leave of the court to carry out a fuller inquiry into the matter.